Roche Introduces Program to Facilitate Corporate Pandemic Stockpiling of Tamiflu

Roche (Nutley, NJ) has introduced a flexible purchase program that will allow US businesses to maintain access to their own stockpile of Tamiflu for use in a pandemic situation, with limited upfront investment and more adaptability to deal with unknown factors inherent in pandemic planning.

Under the new plan, businesses pay a nominal annual fee to “reserve” their own stockpile of Tamiflu, which Roche will store and rotate to keep “in date.” The contract comes up for renewal annually, at which time companies will have the opportunity to re-evaluate their investment decision. If and when a company decides to take possession of the medicine-for example, if a novel strain of influenza virus begins human-to-human spread-they can purchase their dedicated product from Roche at the prevailing wholesale price. Roche will guarantee delivery within 48 hours in most circumstances.

Businesses can still purchase Tamiflu outright and consider predistribution to their employees, which is what some corporations have preferred.